Pipelines facing challenges in low oil price environment

While the low oil price environment is not as challenging for pipelines as the upstream industry, there are many issues and concerns that do need attention and solutions, such as increased changing regulations, ongoing safety considerations, maintenance and rehabilitation of ageing facilities and sitting of new pipelines as the flow of oil and gas changes due to the development of shale resources.

The conference

Experts from 41 US states and 14 countries will gather on 15 - 17 September 2015, for Pipeline Week in The Woodlands, Texas, to discuss pipeline survival strategies, while more than 70 companies launch and demonstrate the high-tech products and services to make it happen. The event includes the 11^th Annual PODS User Conference, which provides a robust programme of operator presentations, workshops, training, and round-table discussions focusing on leveraging the PODS Standard. Running simultaneously, GITA's 24^th Oil & Gas Pipeline Conference hosts an operator forum, a number of dynamic panel discussions, and numerous networking functions.

What needs to be done?

Kathy Mayo, Executive Director of the PODS Association, said: "This collaboration between PODS and GITA joins together oil and gas pipeline professionals – the right people, drawing upon decades of experience at the right time to address challenges and produce results for our industry."

"According to a recent study, US$641 billion will need to be invested over the next two decades in pipelines and other infrastructure to keep up with the gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids flowing from US fields. Despite the downturn in oil and gas, this will contribute to the growth of the pipeline business," said Mark Peters, Offshore Group Publisher and Vice President. "During Pipeline Week, attendees have the opportunity to network with each other, ask questions, share knowledge, and compare best practices. Industry leaders enjoy this closed forum, where open discussion is highly encouraged."

What will be viewed at the conference?

The exhibit floor, in conjunction with the conferences, will showcase technology, equipment and services vital to the oil and gas pipeline industry. Products and services on display on the exhibit floor include, but are not limited to: GIS technology, IT analytics, geospatial technology, mapping, pipeline services, product management, commercial data, business development, business processing, engineering, drafting operations services, pipeline integrity, compliance data, regulatory compliance, pipeline solutions, asset integrity, project management, research, environmental, integrity management, product development, emergency management, and damage prevention, as well as architecture and design.

Edited from various sources by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/14092015/pipelines-facing-challenges-in-low-oil-price-environment/